New Holland EC35 advice

[inane2]

Good evening guys,

Been searching for awhile for a 7k-8k lbs mini excavator for my farm. Needing to do some long overdue cleanup, general chores, etc.

Ran across a early 2000's New Holland EC35 with a little over 2k hours. Well used machine but would likely serve my purpose on the farm, only getting 50-100 hrs a year on it. Figured out that the NH EC35 was actually made by Terex and is a rebadged Terex TC35. Has a Mitsubishi S4L2 enginge. This unit has some play at the end of the bucket and would need some other little TLC to suit me. Undercarriage is not bad, tracks are decent.

Any thoughts on this model? While I'm a NH guy, I was initially looking for a Kubota. I never even considered a NH mini as I just don't see too much NH construction stuff around my part of the woods. Plenty of tractors and implements around here in use, just not too much construction equipment.

Thanks!

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a NH backhoe and my local dealer has been great. The parts guys go out of their way to find me the best deals, or send me somewhere else so I don't have to pay their ridiculous prices. Same thing with the guys in the repair shop. They print out manuals, and give free advice. It's almost like they would prefer I fix it myself instead of having them do it.

The biggest negative on New Holland Construction Equipment is that they sell their parts in kits. For a cylinder rebuild, you have to buy a baggy full of seals, o rings and other stuff that has nothing to do with what you are fixing. Your parts are mixed up in the bag, but most of it is of no use. Last time I did this, it was around a hundred bucks. Then they really pushed it and said that their kit no longer worked for the piston in my cylinders and that I had to buy a new piston for another hundred bucks. Fortunately, that's when the parts guy told me about a hydraulic rebuild shop that would be a lot cheaper. Now, the cost of materials to rebuild a cylinder is usually under ten bucks and the shop does the labor for a hundred bucks. I just have to bring it to them.

I didn't know that Terrex made their smaller excavators. I knew that the bigger ones where all Kobelco units, but didn't know where they started size wise.

 

[RickB]

If you can't get parts from a Terex dealer, pass on it. Getting parts through NH for one of these is a nightmare.

 

[inane2]

Thank you Eddie and Rick for the feedback. I also thought Kobelco built all of NH's excavators but it seems they only build the bigger ones and Terex had all of the mini units. Digging around for parts on NH and Messicks only shows this EC35 going from 1999 to 2003.

Now, Terex has sold it's mini excavator line to Yanmar and they are being built by on of Yanmar's companies - Schaeff. This further removes the old NH excavators. NH's minis are being built by someone else currently, I read about that sometime ago but don't remember who it is.

Engine parts and undercarriage parts seems readily available aftermarket. That little Mitsubishi engine is in all types of stuff. It seems the NH / Terex specific stuff may be the challenge.

 

[bspeedy]

You are wise to consider parts support for any machine you purchase. It is one of my primary considerations for my own equipment.

I've had a Kubota and now a Takeuchi excavator. Both have been good machines and seem to have good parts support. I'm sure Deere and CAT are excellent, too. Almost forgot Bobcat.

 

[maxfior]

I agree with what the others have stated, parts are a big deal. I was looking at some nicely priced IHI minis, but the parts would be hard to get it. I ultimately went with a Kubota, it does what I need it to do and the best part is I have 2 dealers within 20 miles, the one is only 10 miles away. Of course being a kubota and with low hours, I doubt I'll have any issues with it. I'd try to get a lower hour machine if I were you and look it over good. Make sure you can get parts for it, but some machines are better than others. I made a video about "what to look for" when buying an mini excavator. I can post it if you want, let me know. Good luck.

 

[inane2]

Thanks Max. I started my search looking for a Kubota, around a KX71 or 91. I'm about 5 minutes from my nearest Kubota dealer so that will be nice knowing I have support close.

The NH would probably serve me fine but the parts availability is definitely a factor. Fighting that against what my budget will allow. So many used equipment sites on line, not to mention Craigslist and eBay.